KU O-lineman Thorson honored for service

In April, Kansas University senior Brad Thorson donated several eight-inch sections of his hair to cancer patients through Pantene Pro-V’s “Beautiful Lengths” program, one of several community-based acts of volunteerism the offensive lineman has been associated with since arriving at KU.

Tuesday, Allstate demonstrated that Thorson’s giving nature did not go unnoticed, as the 6-foot-5, 310-pound lineman from Mequon, Wis., became one of 57 players nominated for the 2010 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

In addition to cutting his mane, Thorson has been involved in numerous community service activities with KU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, including visiting elementary school classrooms, helping build with Habitat For Humanity and working with Special Olympics.

“From the moment Brad became a Jayhawk, he has been a strong leader amongst his peers, both on the football team and throughout all student-athletes,” KU associate athletics director Mike Harrity said. “Brad embraces the opportunity to have a positive influence on the people around him.”

Thorson credits some of his former teammates for paving the way.

“When I got here it was easy to follow the leads of Mike Rivera and Darrell Stuckey (one of the 11 Football Bowl Series AFCA Good Works Team members last year),” Thorson said. “It was obvious that some of the best athletes, not only on the football team, but in all sports, were also great in the community and cared about this place.”

Thorson started all 12 games last season and was named KU’s top offensive lineman in 2009. He earned Academic all-Big 12 First Team honors while working on his master’s degree in economics. He graduated early from Wisconsin with a degree in business in the summer of 2008.

Currently, Thorson is mending a broken foot but is expected to be ready by the start of the 2010 season. The Jayhawks report to fall camp Aug. 3.